In need of an office wardrobe update? Shop our high street edit of sophisicated, on-trend, and sunshine friendly buys...
Finding what to wear to work in the summer can be a bit of a mission. You have to make sure your summer workwear is dress-code appropriate, but you'll also want a wardrobe that's comfortable enough to wear on the tube without melting.
What To Wear To Work
Dressing for the office is never easy when the sun comes out, and with stuffy train cars, fierce office air-con and the unpredictable British weather to contend with, it's a wonder we ever leave the house at all. With that in mind we've scoured the shelves for this season's take on smart separates, statement shirts and boardroom-to-bar dresses that will have you looking and feeling super cool during the summer months. This year, the classic white work shirt has had a serious style update, while shirt dresses have also made a comeback. There are plenty of powder blue and pastel pinks shades to be had, giving traditional summer workwear a super-soft makeover. If you fancy bold colours or prints, you're spoilt for choice. Classic shapes are mixed with this season's hottest prints, resulting in the perfect summer workwear style statement.Shop our office-approved picks now, and find your perfect summer workwear look...
Lucy & Co Window Pane Waisted Dress, £45
Rock the monochrome trend from your desk, all the way to the cocktail bar in confidence that you'll keep cool the whole day. In this black and white dress by Lucy & Co, you'll look bold and stay refreshed.
Topshop Marble Check Culottes, £50
At MC, we can't resist a cool pair of culottes to wear at the office; especially this marbleised pair from Topshop.
Boden Edie Jacket, £129
Ok, so the temperature does drop in the evenings. Be prepared with a light, fun jacket in a bold colour, like this one from Boden.
Reiss Delores Silk Painterly Print Blouse Juliet Floral, £135
There's no reason not to spruce up your summer workwear with a vibrant pattern. This printed silk top from Reiss will add life to your work wardrobe.
Whistles Phillipa Jumpsuit, £155
A jumpsuit is the easiest way to get great summer style. Pair this one with some intricate gladiator sandals to nail the look.
L.K. Bennett Blues Silk Print Shirt, £165
Be pretty in pink this summer and add a feminine touch to a drab suit with this pink silk blouse.
& Other Stories Graphic Streamer Dress, £95
Who says a sundress has to be reserved for your days off? Wear this gorgeous & Other Stories dress to work and be the office's most stylish employee.
House of Holland Scalloped-Hem Velvet Mini Skirt, £150
Alexa Chung loves a velvet skirt and there's no reason you can't incorporate the luxe fabric into your summer workwear wardrobe too.
COS Neat-Fit Trousers, £79
You'll certainly look electric in these bright blue trousers from COS. Pair them with a white button down for a look that says bold and chic, yet strictly professional.
Alice + Olivia Willa Top, £142
If you work in an office, the best way to bring life to a sterile environment is with this flamingo-print shirt from Alice + Olivia.
Amanda Uprichard Wysteria Jacket Earth, £210
It's a smart idea to keep a jacket with you at work in the summer. Air-con can be killer. but the cold air doesn't have to kill your style. Invest in an easy-to-style jacket that will go with everything.
L.K. Bennett Valdez Print Sleeve Dress, £195
We're saying 'no' to wool tailoring this summer and bringing out the florals, like this L.K. Bennett dress instead.
J.W. Anderson French Ruffle Cotton Shirt, £290
There isn't much we don't love about this shirt. It's bold, it's feminine, it's quirky and it's totally suitable for work.
Gap Pleated Indigo Dress, £49.95
If you're still trying to figure out how to incorporate this season's denim trend into your work wardrobe, this dress is the answer.
Vila Paint Stroke Shift Dress, £36
We love the bold brush strokes that adorn this simple shift dress. They're bang on trend and perfect for the office.
Piazza Sempione Audrey White Cropped Trousers, £195
White trousers are quintessential to the summer workwear wardrobe. Investing in a pair of perfect white trousers is the smartest fashion decision you'll make all summer.
COS Chiffon Dress, £89
Look elegant and professional in a midi shift dress. Pair this feminine dress with a pair of power heels to make a bold statement in the office.
Dorothy Perkins Blue Jacquard Pencil Skirt, £30
Work the pastel trend into your summer workwear with this jacquard pencil skirt from Dorothy Perkins.
Topshop Drape Front Pocket Blouse, £36
Rework the white work shirt by upgrading to Topshop's draped blouse.
Tiger of Sweden Indy Dress, £159
Own office style in a monochrome shift dress that has the essence of power and authority.
J. Crew Tippi Merino Wool Sweater, £80
For days when the sun's not shining so bright, throw on a light jumper for a bit of extra warmth.
Richard Nicoll Origami-Detailed Cotton Mini Dress, £370
Richard Nicoll has remixed the shirt dress in an intricate origami-inspired pattern. We love.
Calvin Klein Stretch-Crepe Turtleneck Top, £470
Calvin Klein's famed minimalism is written all over this turtleneck top. Pair this with black trousers for a New York-inspired office look.
NW3 By Hobbs Layla Dress, £79
Make this your go-to dress for those unpredictable days at the office. It's so versatile, you'll be able to storm the boardroom and celebrate at the cocktail bar afterwards, all in effortless style.
Lavish Alice Shirt Dress, £18
Reinvent your classic work uniform with this contrast shirt dress, which will look great with fancy flats and elegant heels alike.
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Chloé Striped Cotton and Linen-Blend Blazer, £1370
Perfect for throwing over your pastels, this gorgeous blazer is an irresistibly cool piece (both literally and figuratively) that we just have to have.
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Miss Selfridge Botanical Print Shirt, £30
A beautiful summer design in a classic smart shape, this full length shirt is the perfect top to balance out a short skirt if you're ready to get your tanned pins out.
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Vionnet Pink Tapered Pants, £625
Girly girls rejoice! You can pull off you favourite feminine shade in the office with these beauties. To turn heads, clash with hot pink shades up top.
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COS Collarless Shirt Dress, £69
Throw on this minimal, crisp shirt dress for an easy way to get office-ready in an instant, and nothing says summer like this sky blue shade. The loose fit and cotton chambray fabric will make those jam-packed commutes bearable (well, almost).
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Victoria Beckham Color-Block Dress, £670
Pricey, but an investment piece you'll want to wear time and time again. Team with your favourite courts for a classic, elegant look.
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Asos Floral Print Shirt, £25
Girly florals can be grown up, too. Work into your wardrobe with masucline shapes like this short sleeved shirt.
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Topshop Dogtooth Cigarette Trousers, £42
You can't go wrong with monochrome, and these classic dogtooth print cigarette trousers are the perfect way to rock the look desk side. Add a neon yellow tee and metallic block heels for a full-on finish.
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All Saints Quin Bomber Jacket, £258
Bomber jackets are the go too cover up this season, and are suprisingly versatile - as demonstrated by this black-lined white piece from Allsaints. Not only can this take you from desktop to roof top, but ticks two trend in one.
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Topshop Sports Waistband Pleat Midi Skirt, £38
Work two trends in one buy with this flourescent orange sports luxe skirt, which can take you from work-to-bar no problem.
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H&M Short Jacket, £29.99
We can never quite trust a British summer, hence why we love the cropped jacket. It's light enough to carry by day, but keeps you that extra bit cosier when the sun goes down.
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Lavish Alice Bodycon Dress, £21
If you prefer bodycon fit dresses to looser, skater styles, opt for ones that fall just above the knee like this pastel pink number. White accesories will make this look extra cool.
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L.K Bennett Collar Fitted Dress, £225
Show you mean business with this Kate Middleton-esque collar fitted dress, which will guarantee you look and feel the part.
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Band Of Outsiders Printed Silk-Twill Shirt, £265
A great dual-duty buy, pair this dégradé leopard print silk shirt with tailored black trousers in the office, or mix with ripped denim to ace casual style when the weekend comes around.
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Oasis Marble Jacquard Pencil Skirt, £50
A new print trend to watch out for this summer, we love this marble pencil skirt in gentle blue and grey hues. There's a matching top available so you can work the look from head to toe.
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Whistles Claudette Dress, £175
This beautiful powder blue dress oozes summer beach vibes, but is smart enough on the job, too. We love the figure flattering pleated panel detail at the waist, which draws it in creating the illusion of an hourglass shape.
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J Crew Striped Line Tapered Trouser, £90
These breathable linen trousers are perfect for keeping cool but covered at work. Team with a crisp white shirt and cork wedge heels to finish.
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River Island Orange Textured Boxy Jacket, £50
Recycle last years go-to summer dress with a bright boxy jacket like this River Island number to update it. Neon strap heels will add extra fun to the fluorescent look.
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Burberry London Silk Crepe Sheath Dress, £595
This barely-mint dress is a timeless piece that can be worn both in the office and to fancy events.
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Alexander Mcqueen Boot-Cut Crepe Trousers, £496, black
We've well and truly moved away from the skinny leg jean as the go-to trousers for women. Not only have celebs like Victoria Beckham and Sienna Miller been seen working the boot leg trend, but it's a much sharper option for the office, too.
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Karen Millen Broderie Insert T-Shirt, £60
We love this update on a classic white shirt with a broderie design, the ideal buy if you're after a summer switch up that isn't too far fetched.
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Preen By Thorton Bregazzi £608
Ace daytime dressing with this elegant midi dress. We love that it plays into the sheer trend, but is work appropriate at the same time.
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French Connection Olympic Marl Pencil Skirt, £6
The Olympics may have been two years ago, but this is so now. The knee-length makes it acceptable work attire, but the side zip gives it a sport luxe edge. Love.
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River Island Light Blue Textured Jersey Blazer, £40
Laid back yet elegant, an oversized blazer is a wardrobe staple to take you from day in the office to evening at the bar.
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Allsaints Luna Shirt Dress, £118
Keeping in theme with the office-approved shirt dress, work it with one of summer's biggest trend with this show-stopping orange pick.
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Karen Millen Colourblock Shift Dress, £160
Big presentation? This monochrome dress from Karen Millen is the perfect fit for formal occassions. The sleeveless design will keep you cool, and the black panelling is super slimming.
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New Look White Tribal Print Blazer, £22.99
Inject sophisticated into your wardrobe of summer basics with a chic printed blazer. We love this on-trend (and supper affordable) tribal print blazer from New Look.
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ASOS White Woven Luxe T-Shirt, £45
If haven't picked up already from the endless list of red carpet looks, white is the colour to be seen in this summer. Team with white trouser if you want to brave the trend, or
alternatively wear this box cut number with a printed or pastel midi skirt.
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River Island Cream Check Joggers, £32
Keep your style in check as you head to work in these. The relaxed fill will be super cooling on those sweaty tube journeys, while a classic check print never fails for office attire. Team with black and white to keep it simple but chic.
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Ted Baker Metallic Suit Shorts, £139
If you're attempting to pull off short-shorts at work, loose fitting suit shorts will ensure you still look sharp. Play into the metallic trend by day in these, and team with the matching jacket to nail on-trend office chic.
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Warehouse Jersey Panel Dress, £46
Formal grey and black tones smarten up this relaxed dress, which is super flattering for pear shapes during the heat.
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M&S Striped Midi Dress, £49.50
Simple stripes never go a miss, and we love this versatile midi dress from M&S. Throw on a statement necklace and your best heels on a friday afternoon and you'll be ready for girly drinks in an no time.
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Diane Von Furstenberg Zoe Dress, £320
We love this versatile dress, as it can be dressed up dressed down in an instant. For the office, got for smart block heels and minimal accessories to make it work.
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Chloé Silk Blouse, £545
Feminine and chic, this airy shirt with no doubt keep you cool when the heat it on.
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Balenciaga Printed Silk Top, £525
Wear this patterned silk top tucked into black tailored shorts for a super smart finish, or over a bright block pencil skirt for a fun touch.
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